Ford County Soil and Water Conservation District

08/07/2026

🐠It is time to place your Fall Fish order!🐠

Orders are due by 9/2/2026

🐟Fish pick up will be Thursday 9/17/26 at our office at 11am🐟

We will not be having a Fall Tree Sale this year! It has not been profitable for us. Tree Sale will return in the Spring!🌲🌳

07/20/2026

Last week at the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Meeting, Ford County SWCD Board Chairman, Kenny Hawthorne won the Director of the year award! This is what Sarah Earles-AC/RC wrote in her nomination; My nominee brings strong assets to their role and our SWCD is incredibly fortunate to have them as our Board Chairman.
First, they are dedicated and hardworking. They are extremely focused on continuously striving to grow the district to become a better asset to the community. They bring positive high energy and a personal touch. When I began my position as AC/RC, they were very welcoming and helpful. They had connections with other district staff or directors that could point me in the right direction when I was completely lost.
Second, when it comes to their farming operation, they have recently taken over all the family farm ground so that their elders could retire. Their streams are protected by filter strips to help with NLRS. They are mindful of their carbon footprint and would prefer that items not be printed for them, they would rather read it on their computer. If we must print for them, it had better be double-sided, if possible! Recently they got solar panels installed to help cut down on their energy usage.
Even at the peak of planting season, this individual is always attending board meetings, answering calls, texts, and responding to emails. Such a GREAT quality to have in a director!
Lastly, my nominee’s volunteer work doesn’t end with just their work for the SWCD which he has been actively engaged with since 2011. He served as the Area 3 Vice President for the AISWCD Board (for multiple years) getting off the board in 2025, He brings the entertainment to the Annual Auction at Summer Conference, is part of the Ford County (LEPC) Local Emergency Planning Committee, is a Trustee of the United Methodist Church of Gibson City and sits on the Alliance Grain Board. He does all of this while having a wife and 3 children at home.
I highly recommend Kenny Hawthorne for the Director of the Year Award. He is motivated and positively engaged, serving as a true inspiration. Kenny is not only my boss, but I also consider him my family!

06/01/2026

STAR 2026 Field survey is available today! If you are in the IDOA CPRG strip-till, no-till program please login to you account and fill out the 2026 field form!

Start your 2026 Crop Year Strong! 💪

Crop Year 2026 is officially here and open for everyone! Use the FREE STAR Tool to get started!

Use the STAR Tool Here -> https://startool.ag/

05/15/2026

Today, Sarah Earles traveled to GCMS High School to give out our Annual Scholarship! To qualify for our scholarship, you must be a resident of Ford County, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, and be attending an Illinois college to obtain a degree in Agriculture. It was a honor to give our scholarship to Natalie Aberle. She is the daughter of Randy & Darla Aberle. We wish her much success in her future and can't wait to see what she accomplishes! Congratulations, Natalie!

05/07/2026

On April 23rd, Sarah went to GCMS 3rd grade and talked to the kids about the importance of trees and the History of Arbor Day. Each 3rd grade student received a Bare-root White Pine Tree to take home, plant, and care for! What a fun day!

05/07/2026

On Tuesday, April 21st Ford County Soil and Water Conservation District, Prairie Fire 4-H, and members of the William Eugene Campbell Memorial Park, met at the William Eugene Campbell Memorial Park in Gibson City, IL to plant 25 Oak Trees as part of the Oak Savannah Initiative. The trees are provided with funding from, Illinois Forestry Development Council, Illinois Extension 4-H Foundation, and the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts. This is the Initiatives 5th year with Ford County taking part for the 1st time. Sarah Earles with Ford County SWCD applied for the trees with Gary Lutterbie, members of the park, and Gibson City, City Council all being in favor of the location for planting.
4-H members present:
Lane Beyers, Kinley Beyers, Abner Foster, James Young, Lyla Young, Zoe Wier
Leaders: Leanne Wright and Jodi Beyers
Parents: Matt Foster, Christie Foster, Brett Beyers, Hannah Young
Member of the park: Kevin Seymour, Gary Lutterbie, Dave Gregerson
Ford County Soil and Water Conservation District Staff: Sarah Earles and Director: Jerry Oyer

Fun fact- our Associate Director Jerry Oyer who is shown in one of the Photos, used to farm this ground prior to the Memorial Park going in.

04/18/2026

Yesterday Sarah went to PBL 3rd grade and talked to the kids about the importance of trees and the History of Arbor Day. Each 3rd grade student received a Bare-root White Pine Tree to take home, plant, and care for! What a fun day!

04/13/2026

ATTENTION: This is a reminder that the Primary ground nesting dates for IL are April 15th- August 1st!

As the name implies, these dates are when ground nesting birds like pheasants, quail, turkey, killdeer, woodcocks and other species nest. During this time, it is highly recommended to NOT mow or burn large areas where ground nesting wildlife may reside.

Keep in mind, these animals do not have calendars with these dates marked!
Please be considerate of their nesting periods. August 1st does mark the relative end of the nesting period, but it is not uncommon to find birds such as quail or pheasants nesting well past August 1st.

So keep a lookout, be mindful and be vigilant if you're planning any activities on your ground during or past these dates!

To learn more, follow the link below 👇
https://www.pheasantsforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Pheasants-Forever/Facts-Surrounding-the-Magic-of-Nesting-Season.aspx

04/10/2026

SOLD OUT!
We have Bare-root Norway Spruce trees available for sale, a bundle of 10 for $35. Let us know if you would like any! They are only available until we sell out as we have already received our shipment!

04/03/2026

Pre-enrollment for the I-COVER Program is now OPEN!

This 3-year commitment (2026–2028) supports new or innovative cover crop practices that improve soil health and resilience.

💲 Incentive rates available:
• $61.13/acre (winter kill)
• $85.65/acre (single species, spring terminated)
• $105.40/acre (multi-species, spring terminated)

🗓 Applications open April 15
💻 Get started at https://apps.agr.illinois.gov/ICover/

Pre-enroll now so you’re ready to submit when the application window opens!

Learn more: https://agr.illinois.gov/resources/landwater/i-cover.html